Press release: Continued growth for Tanner De Witt’s international arbitration practice

12Apr2021

For media: Download a PDF copy of this press release at this link.

The growing arbitration department at one of Hong Kong’s largest independent firms continues to reach new heights, with two new hires and various community initiatives in the pipeline.

It has been an eventful and exciting period for Tanner De Witt’s arbitration team ever since the appointment of Kevin Warburton to the firm as partner and Head of Arbitration in September 2020. In addition to a number of new instructions, the department recently welcomed its newest members, confirmed its sponsorship for a major regional conference, and its lead partner was interviewed by a leading legal magazine on various issues surrounding Hong Kong as an arbitral seat. Read more in the summary below.

Supported Hong Kong Arbitration Week

TDW-team-at-HK-Arbitration-Week-2020-for-website
TDW team at HK Arbitration Week

The arbitration team participated in a wide array of debates, lectures and training sessions in October 2020 as part of Hong Kong Arbitration Week. It was the first year that Tanner De Witt sent such a large contingent to Arbitration Week; the team was very well received and thanks their fellow practitioners for such a warm welcome.

Please find out more here.

Quoted in Asian Legal Business

Partner Kevin Warburton was featured alongside other top arbitration practitioners in Asian Legal Business’ February 2021 issue. The article was titled ‘Refinement and Clarity’ and discussed the Supplemental Arrangement Concerning the Mutual Enforcement of Arbitral Awards between China and Hong Kong.

Kevin shared his thoughts on recognition and enforcement, removal of the restriction of awards made by certain arbitral institutions, simultaneous enforcement applications and interim measures throughout the arbitral proceedings.

Please find out more here.

Welcomed Ling Meng and appointed Jeffrey Tong

Ling Meng was admitted as a solicitor in February 2021, having joined the firm as a trainee in September 2018.  She obtained her JD and PCLL from the University of Hong Kong.  Prior to her legal studies, Ling obtained her BA in Sociology from Zhejiang University in Hangzhou before moving to California to pursue an MA in Museum Studies at the San Francisco Art Institute. While completing her degree, Ling worked with museums, galleries and artists and curated a number of exhibitions.  Ling is already busy working on a number of matters, including three new HKIAC arbitrations she has helped commence this calendar year.

Jeffrey Tong joined the practice as Solicitor on Wednesday 7 April 2021, bringing the number of fee earners in the core team to eight.

Prior to joining Tanner De Witt, Jeffrey worked at a leading PRC law firm in Hong Kong. Jeffrey was one of the first people to be seconded to Hong Kong’s Department of Justice as an Exchange Lawyer. Whilst at the Department of Justice of the HKSAR Jeffrey participated in the formulation of arbitration policies including, for example, The Supplemental Arrangement Concerning Mutual Enforcement of Arbitral Awards between the Mainland and the HKSAR; and the Pilot Scheme on Facilitation for Persons Participating in Arbitral Proceedings in Hong Kong. He achieved his JD and PCLL at the City University of Hong Kong, having previously obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy & Economics at University College London.

Please view Ling’s full profile at this link and Jeffrey’s full profile here.

Sponsoring 6th ICC Asia Conference on International Arbitration

The team is delighted to announce its support of this conference as Sponsor. Arbitration practitioners eagerly await this yearly date as a way to keep up-to-date with the latest regional developments in international arbitration. Set to take place on 28 May 2021, this conference is going virtual for the very first time. The team very much looks forward to attending and meeting more practitioners from around the region.

More information to follow.

Mark Side, Partner and Head of Dispute Resolution, says:

“It is an exciting period to be an arbitration practitioner with more and more parties attracted to high quality arbitration services on offer in Hong Kong. As one of Hong Kong’s largest business law firms, we are delighted to increase our arbitration offering and have no doubt that this will meet the growing demand for alternative dispute resolution methods in Hong Kong.”

Kevin Warburton remarks: “In seven short months I have watched this department go from strength to strength as we continue to carve out our own reputation in Hong Kong’s competitive legal market. I am delighted with the range of clients we are working for (both geographically and across the various industries) and we will continue to support the greater arbitration community by attending events and conferences to share and gain knowledge. We are very pleased by the encouragement and recognition to date and look forward to meeting many of you soon.

About Tanner De Witt

Tanner De Witt is an established and recommended independent law firm in Hong Kong. Many of our lawyers have international law firm backgrounds and our firm and its lawyers receive top ratings from industry publications such as Chambers and Legal 500.

Tanner De Witt is an equal opportunities employer and strives to promote a culture of opportunity and success. Hong Kong enjoys a diversity of perspectives, history, culture and outlook; our team and client base reflect this.

The firm provides legal advice and representation in the following areas: Restructuring and Insolvency; Dispute Resolution (including Litigation, Arbitration and Mediation); Corporate and Commercial; Employment; Family; Private Client’ Fraud and Asset Tracing; Investigations; Banking and Finance; Regulatory and Compliance; Criminal Law and White Collar Crime.

Tanner De Witt, 17th Floor, Tower One, Lippo Centre, 89 Queensway, Admiralty, Hong Kong

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